In the 1900 US Federal Census for Pierce, Lawrence, Missouri, 30-year-old Missouri-born carpenter, William A and his 28-year-old Missouri-born wife Mary B [maiden name unknown] Bridges have been married ten years and have had four children, three are living. These three Missouri-born children are 7-year-old Pearly M. [sic], 3-year-old Charley C and 11-month old William D. The family is living in a house that William owns, free of mortgage. Pearl has attended school seven months of the past year. William and Mary can read, write and speak English. William's parents were born in Illinois, Mary's parents in Tennessee, and the children's parents in Missouri.
In the 1910 US Federal Census for Pierce, Lawrence, Missouri, 40-year-old Illinois-born [sic] house carpenter, William A and his 38-year-old Missouri-born wife Mary B [maiden name unknown] Bridges have been married twenty years and have had six children, five are living. These five Missouri-born children are 17-year-old Pearl, 13-year-old Charles 10-year-old Guy [sic William D on the 1900 census], 3-year-old Fern, and 1-year-old Marie. The family is living in a rented house at 504 8th Street. Pearl, Charles and Guy have attended school in the past year. Everyone except the two babies can read, write and speak English. William's parents were born in Illinois, Mary's parents in Tennessee, and the children's father in Illinois [sic] and their mother in Missouri.